Whanganui Chronicle Person of the Year - runner-up: Dan Goldsworthy

Person of the year runner-up Dan Goldsworthy. Photo / Bevan Conley

Plumber Dan is a guy who loves to have fun - all while supporting good community causes.

Ethan Griffiths speaks to Dan Goldsworthy, who is the next of four runners-up in our Whanganui Chronicle Person of the Year series.

In the Victoria Ave headquarters of Plumber Dan, Dan Goldsworthy walks through his shed pointing out last year's Christmas float and his soapbox derby vehicle from four years ago.

Then there's his games room, complete with every tabletop activity you could imagine.

The office is a maze of toys, pipes, games and advertising boards emblazoned with various events Goldsworthy has organised.

"Life's about having fun," he says.

Goldsworthy, better known as Plumber Dan, has been a staple in the Whanganui community for many years.

In his nomination for the award, he's said to be "a great example of someone who strives for a better community for all".

But Goldsworthy says he's just a plumber.

"There are other people out there that are doing awesome stuff too. Our work is teamwork, I'm just the ringleader of the circus."

Goldsworthy started his business Plumber Dan 10 years ago, after leaving Whanganui five times, venturing to work in various spots in New Zealand and Australia.

The plumbing business started with just Goldsworthy himself and has now grown to 14 staff.

"I was only going to be a one-man-band. One of my friends said you'll have staff soon, and I thought 'no, that's too scary'," he says.

"I suppose doing things in the community fuelled that and we just happened to become bigger and bigger. The community supports me and I support them. It's just a two-way thing."

The company is involved in both organising and supporting a multitude of events across Whanganui, mainly targeted at getting families out and about.

"I like to have fun. I usually do the fishing competition, duck race, raft race and the soapbox derby."

The Plumber Dan Duck Race has been held every year for the last five years. Photo / Lewis Gardner

"It's just a bit of fun really, and it helps out the community."

One of Goldsworthy's biggest events is the Duck Race, held every year on the Dublin Street bridge.

The event typically brings in around $20,000, all of it going to support Jigsaw Whanganui, a social support agency. He's been running the event for the last five years.

"They're just so passionate about what they do, they're awesome."

Goldsworthy says the motivation for putting things on came from a desire to get people out and involved in the community.

"I used to hear the old 'there's nothing to do in Whanganui'," he says.

"I always wanted a fun park and if I had the money I'd build a big indoor bowling alley and go-karts."

Now a successful businessman and property owner, Goldsworthy says his heart is in Whanganui and its community.

"It's got everything. You've got the mountains right there, the sea right there, river right there. Why be anywhere else?

"We're only here for a short time, we've got to do our best at what we do. It's good to give."

*See Thursday's Chronicle for the final runner-up. The Whanganui Chronicle Person of the Year winner will be revealed on Saturday.

Also in this series:

Runner-up: Sir Robert-Martin